I came up with this list of movies that I think are similar in mood, aesthetic, or narrative to the much-talked-about recently released Malignant. I won’t go into the specific details of the plot (although I assume if you’re reading this, you’ve already watched the film), because it’s definitely one that you shouldn’t be spoiled prior to watching. I enjoyed Malignant because it brought me back to the days of growing up, watching horror movie rentals from video stores — the kind of movies where they seemed low budget, but the cover looked cool and you knew it would at least be fun. Malignant is like that, a higher-budget b-movie with a bonkers, genre-defying storyline, and in my opinion, it was successful.
These movies on my list are suggestions for a double-feature to Malignant, or simply a recommendation if you liked the vibe of Wan’s film and want more like it. Some of these may very well have served as inspiration for Wan, but it’s not true for all of them. Almost all of the films are available on streaming platforms.
Possessor
Tasya Vos, an elite corporate assassin, uses brain-implant technology to take control of other people’s bodies to terminate high profile targets. As she sinks deeper into her latest assignment, Vos becomes trapped inside a mind that threatens to obliterate her.
WHERE TO WATCH: Hulu
It’s a much more serious tone than Malignant, but it’s a new classic in body horror.
The Brood
A man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist’s therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, while a series of brutal attacks committed by a brood of mutant children coincides with the husband’s investigation.
WHERE TO WATCH: Looks like it’s not currently available to stream, but you can rent the DVD from Amazon or Netflix.
This list would be incomplete without a David Cronenberg film, and one of the best body horror films of all time. The ending is a shocker!
House
Hoping to find a sense of connection to her late mother, Gorgeous takes a trip to the country to visit her aunt at their ancestral house. She invites her six friends, Prof, Melody, Mac, Fantasy, Kung Fu, and Sweet, to join her. The girls soon discover that there is more to the old house than meets the eye.
WHERE TO WATCH: Vudu (rental)
It’s not like any other film out there; I can only describe it as a fever dream. Like Malignant, you just gotta sit back and enjoy the ride.
Suspiria… and Deep Red
From the moment she arrives in Freiberg, Germany, to attend the prestigious Tanz Academy, American ballet-dancer Suzy Bannion senses that something horribly evil lurks within the walls of the age-old institution. (Suspiria)
A musician witnesses the murder of a famous psychic, and then teams up with a fiesty reporter to find the killer while evading attempts on their lives by the unseen killer bent on keeping a dark secret buried. (Deep Red)
WHERE TO WATCH: Shudder, Tubi
Suspiria is gory and beautiful (surely the red lighting in Malignant was a nod to the film), and Deep Red is a giallo masterpiece. One thing I enjoyed about Malignant was the music. Argento’s films are famous for their soundtracks; the way music is used in Argento films is almost unparalleled — the scores are almost like another character.
The Evil Dead 2
Ash Williams and his girlfriend Linda find a log cabin in the woods with a voice recording from an archeologist who had recorded himself reciting ancient chants from “The Book of the Dead.” As they play the recording an evil power is unleashed taking over Linda’s body.
WHERE TO WATCH: HBO Max
Although I enjoy The Evil Dead more than its sequel, I think part 2 would work much better alongside Malignant for a double feature of fun and gore. “Groovy.”
Maniac Cop
In New York, people are slain and strangled to death brutally on the open street. All witnesses agree that the murderer was in a cop’s uniform. Soon the police search and find a suspect in its own ranks: Jack Forrest, suspected of murdering his own wife and the rest of the unfortunate individuals to die by the Maniac Cop’s reign of terror. To prove his innocence, he investigates the case with his partner, Theresa Mallory.
WHERE TO WATCH: Shudder, Vudu (Rent)
Another Bruce Campbell film, and a cult classic. It could have been utterly trashy but it embraces the fun and the performances are great.
Riki-Oh
Hard man Ricky is incarcerated in a futuristic prison where ultra-violence is his only means of survival in the corrupt, sadistic system. He must battle his way quite literally ‘through’ the feared ‘gang of four’, and undergo multiple tortures before facing the governor in one of the goriest climaxes ever seen.
WHERE TO WATCH: Rent it on Amazon. Well worth the money!
Not a horror movie, but that’s fine because Wan has talked about Malignant as a genre blender. Riki-Oh is about outrageous as they come, with over-the-top violence in the fight scenes.
Society
A Beverly Hills teen (Billy Warlock) discovers his parents are part of a gruesome orgy cult for the social elite.
WHERE TO WATCH: Shudder. Tubi
A funny and shocking film that makes fabulous use of practical effects. It’s definitely one that needs to be watched totally unspoiled, or else it ruins the fun…
Pledge Night
In order to become a member of a fraternity, the applicants have to go through initiation rituals to show their loyalty. Way back in the 1960s, someone played a nasty trick on the student Sidney Scheider: He had to take a bath in a tub filled with cornflakes and coffee grounds, vinegar and even more disgusting substances. Nothing unusual so far but someone had replaced the water with pure acid. Sidney was seriously wounded and died a horrible death. This year Acid Sid returns with a vengeance, killing everyone who comes his way. One by one is slaughtered and in the college hell breaks loose.|
WHERE TO WATCH: Shudder, Tubi
One of the strangest slashers I’ve ever seen. It takes a while to actually become a slasher, which is weird enough, and when it does, it’s hilariously fun and creative.
Basket Case
A young man carrying a big basket that contains his deformed Siamese-twin brother seeks vengeance on the doctors who separated them against their will.
WHERE TO WATCH: Shudder, YouTube (rent)
Sleazy, gritty, hilarious. Without revealing too much, it’s undoubtedly an influence on Malignant.
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